Chief: Victim Safety Key in Barkeyville Fire Rescue

IRWIN TWP., Pa. (EYT) – Firefighters from two volunteer departments worked together to rescue three people trapped on the roof of a burning house in Irwin Township.

(Photo by Gerry Rae)

According to a representative from Venango County 911, the call came in around 1:22 a.m. for a fully-engulfed residential fire on Route 8, south of Barkeyville, about 1/2 mile from the Butler County line.

Two trucks from the Harrisville Volunteer Fire Department arrived, followed by Clintonville VFD.

The second truck had a ladder on it, which firefighters used to get the people off the porch roof.

“I’m very proud and glad we were able to help,” Harrisville VFD Chief Steve Bickel said. “That’s the first priority – to make sure everyone is okay – and we’re happy we could help before it got worse.”

“All the fire companies work pretty well together. We may come from different communities, but we all have the same goals,” Bickel said.

According to Clintonville VFD Chief Gerry Rae, “The fire was first called in as a chimney fire but was changed to a fully-blown fire, which is believed to be from a wood burner on the eastern end of the house.”

“When our department arrived, there were three people – two men and a woman – on a second-story porch roof.”

One man was transported from the scene by Superior Ambulance. It is unknown if he suffered any injuries.